Four arrested at motel in meth bust

By KATIE HANSEN Daily News Staff

Published: Friday, September 13, 2013 at 09:10 AM.

According to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, a “Jesse G. Marks” with the same date of birth has been convicted on 30 charges including breaking and entering vehicles, larceny, operating a vehicle without a license, driving with a license revoked, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, second degree trespass, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, loiter for prostitution, driving while impaired, and soliciting prostitution.

Ferrell has been convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia and obtaining property by false pretense, according to the NCDPS. No previous records were found on Skutt or Chestnutt in the NCDPS.

A day of surveillance by local law enforcement this week ended with four arrests at an area motel for allegedly having methamphetamine.

Joshua Blaine Skutt, 35, of Ridgewood Drive in Richlands was charged Sept. 10 by the Onslow County Sheriff's Office with possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver methamphetamine; carrying a concealed weapon; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tarra Chestnutt, 35, of George Sumner Road in Beulaville was charged Sept. 10 by the OCSO with possession with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver meth; possession of drug paraphernalia; and maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place used for controlled substances.

Jesse Marks, 30, of Corbett Road in Swansboro was charged Sept. 10 by the OCSO with possession of methamphetamine.

Samantha Ferrell, 25, of JS Lane in Jacksonville was charged with possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a vehicle or dwelling used for a controlled substance.

On Sept. 10, the Onslow County Sheriff's Office received information of Skutt's possible involvement in manufacturing methamphetamine, said OCSO Maj. Jon Lewis.

The OCSO and Jacksonville Police Department set up a surveillance on Skutt and watched him and Chestnutt throughout the day, following them to the Walmart on Marine Boulevard. At that point, Chestnutt and Skutt were observed shoplifting property by store employees, according to Lewis.

Walmart contacted authorities, at which time officers from the OCSO and JPD approached the employees of the store and asked that Skutt and Chestnutt be allowed to leave so the officers could continue following them.

They trailed the two to the Travel Inn located at 4315 New Bern Highway, where officers pulled them over on the suspected larceny from the store, Lewis said.

Meth, digital scales, baggies and a Schedule IV controlled substance were found during the traffic stop, according to Lewis. Also, according to warrants, Skutt was carrying a concealed razor knife on his person. During interviews with the two, Lewis said investigators found out they had a room at the Travel Inn.

Marks and Ferrell were found inside the room along with more methamphetamine, according to Lewis.

“This is one of those instances where a little bit of information and a lot of hard work led to some good cases,” Lewis said Thursday.

All four made their first appearances in court Wednesday. Marks was issued a $2,000 secured bond, and will be represented by attorney Walter Paramore. Ferrell was given a $2,000 secured bond and will be represented by attorney Kenneth Glover. Chestnutt was given a $5,500 secured bond and will be represented by attorney Amanda B. Houser and Skutt was issued a $6,000 secured bond and will be represented by attorney Steven Laird. All four have preliminary hearings set for Oct. 2.

According to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, a “Jesse G. Marks” with the same date of birth has been convicted on 30 charges including breaking and entering vehicles, larceny, operating a vehicle without a license, driving with a license revoked, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, second degree trespass, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, loiter for prostitution, driving while impaired, and soliciting prostitution.

Ferrell has been convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia and obtaining property by false pretense, according to the NCDPS. No previous records were found on Skutt or Chestnutt in the NCDPS.